ROME
I kept checking the time during the Green and Investment Expo. I was beyond excited to see Carly again. I even sent the jet to pick her up since her travel is personal. I flew with Mykel and Cenric in Creed’s jet since we were the guest speakers at the Expo.
“My question is for Mr. Rome Langston.” The guy in the center stood up. Mykel had answered a question from the audience earlier.
“Yes,” I spoke to the mic.
“What can you advise young investors like us?”
“Thank you for the question. First, learn about investments. Know yourself. What do you spend your money on? Do you shop a lot and collect new gadgets? When you earn your own money, you think that, uh, I earn to buy a new iPhone. My car is five years old. I need a new one. Before you invest, no matter how much it is, a dollar counts. You have to set your goal. And most people’s best advice. Invest only what you can afford to lose. How much do you hate losing money? And lastly, ask for help. Join a group. Ask someone you can trust who has enough knowledge of investments.”
“Thank you, Mr. Langston.”
Then from the back of the audience, someone asked Cenric about the new updates of the Travelers. If they were introducing a new character. The game was pretty much one of the best play-to-earn games on the internet today.
A man stood up and raised his hand. “I want to ask Mr. Langston.”
“Go ahead.”
“People are very much interested in your relationship with the Princess of Triberis Capria. What’s the score?”
I cursed him in my head.
“That’s pretty much out of the topic for today. My father was a public servant, but no one had heard about his sons. Why? Because as much as possible, he wanted us to live a normal life. My relationship with Princess Royal is not a reality show that we willingly go on TV or online, handling intimate details of our lives. If we wanted to let the people know, her side or mine would issue a statement. I hope everyone will respect our decision to keep it private. Thank you.”
The least I could do was do my part. I tried to avoid bad posts about her on social media. She also did a great job avoiding answering questions about our relationships from the reporters.
I became her stalker and number one fan on the official Princess Royal account, with nine million followers on Twitter.
***
“It’s so beautiful out here.” My beautiful princess was leaning against my chest as we watched the sky tonight at the dock.
The lake glistened against the full moon hanging above us. It was perfect and quite romantic.
“Nothing more beautiful than you, Storm.” I looked down at her as she turned her head, lifting her chin to meet my gaze. I kissed her lips.
“I don’t know my grumpy CEO has that romance in his bones.” I had not told her that I had turned over the seat for the Langston Realty President and CEO to my mother, and she seemed to have no knowledge about it, and it was an advantage on my side. I wanted to surprise her later tonight.
“I try hard not to be offended. So, I’m not romantic. That’s what you’re saying?”
She hugged my arm, kissing my hand. “I think you know the answer to that.”
I wrapped my arms around her and planted a kiss on the side of her head. “I’m glad you are here. My life was so dull without you. I woke up to an empty bed every day. And it fucking felt so meaningless.”
“I felt the same way too.”
“And you worked so hard, sweetheart. I think you’ve lost a few pounds.”
“I lost a few pounds on purpose. But I’m not starving myself.”
“Diet, huh? Is that a royal protocol or something?”
“I was just trying to-”
“Come on. You know we don’t keep secrets.”
“I put on my old clothes, and nothing fits.”
“Then go shopping or ask someone, or you can just buy online. I’ll take care of the bill.”
She glared at me. “Since when have I asked you for my shopping expenses? I can take care of myself. Thank you very much.”
I suddenly remembered what her father had told me. “You never asked me for anything. And that’s what I love about you. You can provide for your own needs, not depending on your family fortune. I’m sure you have a clothing allowance at the palace, but you chose to wear those clothes years ago. And I love you for that. But take it as a gift because I also have money. I’m working- fuck.” I squeezed my eyes shut. I felt ashamed.
“What is it?” she quickly asked me when I cursed.
“I didn’t even bring you flowers or something.” I’m such an idiot.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I do have to.”
“Well, you almost turned my office into a flower shop two weeks ago.”
“Was it too much?” I grinned.
She laughed in my arms. “Yeah. Thay was amused. He said, don’t ever mess this up, Carlott, or I will disown you.”
“Forgive me for being such a jerk.”
“It’s not necessary. I didn’t even bring something for you.”
“I think you do. You are enough for me. What matters right now is we are together. You are in my arms, feeling you, and you made me the happiest man tonight.”
“Me too. I’m happy to be with you tonight.”
“How long can you stay with me, Storm?”
Her expression changed. Her eyes filled with sadness. “Two days, babe. I wish I could stay longer.”
“I think that’s good enough. Next month, I’ll be visiting you. I have a meeting with your brother.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up.
“That’s supposed to be a surprise, but seeing those beautiful, sad eyes, I couldn’t take it.”
“How long are you gonna stay?”
“How long do you want me to stay?”
“Three days?”
“Maybe more if you play it nice.” I grinned meaningfully. “I’ll update you with my itinerary. I hope you’d be free that time.”
“I will make it possible. Are you visiting Burkhese?”
“Thank you. What’s in Burkhese?”
“We will attend a gala together as a couple. And you’ll love the scenery.”
“Even if we stay in a motel as long as we are together. And let me guess, you haven’t tried it?”
“Nope.” She wrinkled her nose. “Burkhese is so green. A lot of tourist attractions like ziplining, falls, those endangered animals are well protected in Burkhese.”
“I can’t wait, Storm.” I hugged her tightly and whispered, “I wanna be with you, sweetheart. I want the people to know that we are together.”
“Aren’t we? I mean, the palace did leak our photo.”
“I want more than that. I want us to be seen in public as a couple, not only dating.”
She rose to sit, turning to me. Her eyes searched something in my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Do you want us to be together?”
“We are together, babe.”
“Like you and me under the same roof together.”
She smiled. “We can’t live together until we are married. The palace won’t allow us.”
“Then marry me.” I grabbed the ring behind me under the blanket. Then I went on to my knees. I hadn’t started to say something and opened the box of the ring. She was already standing and shaking her head repeatedly.
“No. No, Langston!”
Shocked, my jaw dropped. I felt like my heart was shattered into a million pieces. “I thought you wanted us to be officially together.”
“I want us to be together. God.” She looked up and drew a deep breath before she looked at me.
“Then what’s wrong? Why don’t you wanna marry me?” I rose to my feet even if it felt as if the world had just dropped before me.
“God, babe, I want to marry you. I want to be with you. I want nothing more than to be with you here for the rest of our lives. But I know why you are doing this.” She started crying. Tears poured down her face.
I took a step even if it hurt me, I wanted to hug her and comfort her, but she stopped me.
“I love you so much. I want to be with you because I don’t wanna live a single day without you. How can we be together if you don’t wanna marry me? When it’s against the royal protocol.”
“No, Rome. I know you love me, and I never doubt it. But you only asked me to marry you because of my father.”
I scoffed as I stared at her, purely shocked. “You think I care about your father more than you and our relationship?”
“He got into you. He threatened you, hasn’t he? And, of course, he ordered you not to tell anyone. That’s what he does. And he always wins.”
“No one has ever told me or forced me, Carly.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t let you do this. I love you more than anything, and I can’t let you go through something you and you will later regret.” She turned on her heels, and I just watched her walk away with my hopes and dreams crumbling, and my heart shattered behind her.